Blue States Pick Up Health Reform Tab For Red States: Study

Under the new House proposal for health care reform, blue states will be picking up more than their share of the tab, according to a new study from the liberal think tank Citizens for Tax Justice. Conversely, red states will reap more of the rewards, based on figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Financing for the House health care proposal includes a graduated surtax on individuals with annual incomes above $280,000 and families above $350,000. The tax is projected to cost the richest 1.3 percent of taxpayers $543 billion over 10 years. It's been vociferously opposed by congressmen from red districts, where more people are uninsured although the added tax burden disproportionately falls on the liberal Northeast, where a greater percentage of the population already has health insurance.

Percentage of Taxpayers Who Would Pay the Graduated Surtax, By State (Source: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy Microsimulation Tax Model, July 2009)	Percentage of Population Uninsured, By State (Source: U.S. Census Bureau):
1. Connecticut: 2.8%	1. Texas 24.8%
2. D.C.: 2.7%	2. New Mexico 22.7%
3. Massachusetts: 2.4%	3. Florida 20.7%
4. New Jersey: 2.1%	4. Louisiana 20.2%
5. California: 1.9%	5. Mississippi 19.8%
6. New York: 1.8%	6. Arizona 19.6%
7. Maryland: 1.7%	7. California 18.5%
7. Washington: 1.7%	8. Nevada 18.4%
7. Wyoming: 1.7%	8. Oklahoma 18.4%
10. Illinois: 1.6%	10. Georgia 17.6%
11. Colorado: 1.5%	11. Arkansas 17.5%
11. Florida: 1.5%	12. Alaska 17.4%
11. Texas: 1.5%	13. Oregon 17.3%
14. Nevada: 1.4%	14. North Carolina 17.2%
14. Virginia: 1.4%	15. Colorado 16.8%
16. New Hampshire: 1.3%	16. Montana 16.4%
17. Minnesota: 1.2%	17. South Carolina 16.2%
18. Alaska: 1.1%	18. New Jersey 15.6%
18. Delaware: 1.1%	18. Utah 15.1%
18. Georgia: 1.1%	20. Idaho 14.6%
18. Oregon: 1.1%	20. Kentucky 14.6%
18. South Dakota: 1.1%	20. Virginia 14.1%
23. Louisiana: 1.0%	20. Wyoming 14.1%
23. North Dakota: 1.0%	24. Tennessee 14.0%
23. Oklahoma: 1.0%	25. Maryland 13.8%
23. Pennsylvania: 1.0%	25. West Virginia 13.8%
27. Alabama: 0.9%	27. Illinois 13.7%
27. Arizona: 0.9%	28. Alabama 13.6%
27. Hawaii: 0.9%	28. New York 13.6%
27. Kansas: 0.9%	30. Missouri 12.9%
27. Maine: 0.9%	31. Nebraska 12.8%
27. Missouri: 0.9%	32. Kansas 12.5%
27. Montana: 0.9%	33. Delaware 11.7%
27. North Carolina: 0.9%	34. Indiana 11.6%
27. South Carolina: 0.9%	34. Washington 11.6%
27. Tennessee: 0.9%	36. North Dakota 11.1%
27. Utah: 0.9%	37. Michigan 11.0%
27. Vermont: 0.9%	37. New Hampshire 11.0%
27. Wisconsin: 0.9%	37. South Dakota 11.0%
40. Iowa: 0.8%	40. Ohio 10.9%
40. Nebraska: 0.8%	41. Vermont 10.7%
40. New Mexico: 0.8%	42. D.C. 10.6%
40. Ohio: 0.8%	43. Iowa 9.9%
40. Rhode Island: 0.8%	44. Pennsylvania 9.8%
45. Idaho: 0.7%	45. Rhode Island 9.7%
45. Indiana: 0.7%	46. Connecticut 9.4%
45. Kentucky: 0.7%	47. Maine 9.1%
45. Michigan: 0.7%	48. Minnesota 8.8%
49. Arkansas: 0.6%	49. Wisconsin 8.5%
49. Mississippi: 0.6%	50. Hawaii 8.2%
51. West Virginia: 0.5%	51. Massachusetts 7.9%
U.S. Average: 1.3%	U.S. Average: 15.5%

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Comments

[Agent420]

They don't like it and will not like as long as they have to pay a dime for it. But they are so against socialism, except for road, schools, the protection of the military and others.

[OlongapoEd]

MathIsTruth asks a question of one of the trolls: "You seem unable to answer direct questions. Why do you insist on wasting people's time by pretending to respond to them?"

Because she enjoys it immensely. I realized years ago that the usual suspects enjoy being mali.cious­.

[LiberalDemIda]

They don't listen to reason. They don't utilize rational or analytical thinking. They're just a bunch of ingrates able to exist because of BlueStateDollars and deep down inside, they know it. That's why they're so malicious.

[mat3]

What was the question?

[Christian]

I could care less where the rich live, they are rich because of this country and its benefits to the professions and businesses from which they made their wealth. Hence it is "fair" that they pay a larger percentage in taxes to benefit the country as a whole. Where they live doesn't cause a larger burden on a given state, they'll levy the taxes they need on their citizens so the state will not suffer one bit. This just shows that republicans support ideology and do not work in the best interest of their constituents. That is the big story here.

[judesuper]

Hey maybe we in Arizona are getting better after all. The local news channel here asked people off the street what they thought of the health care reform and how the congress intends to pay for it.

Of course, since this is the state of goldwater most were repubs. HOWEVER, even they want health care with the public option. AND that it was OK to tax the rich for it. One guy even said that a mil a year was a lot of money and they should indeed pay their share. Cool huh?

How do you like that McCain?

[LiberalDemIda]

Hopefully the majority of Arizonians will vote their best interests in the coming elections. What they want is clearly Democratic, not Repub policies.

[PaxEterna]

Of course the Blue States will pick up the tab ... that's what the Red States hope will happen so they can bit** about big govt and socialism while they take the taxpayer's money.

[Lorianne]

Red voters complain if they have to pay for what they did not vote for (BIG government)

Blue voters complain if they have to pay for what they DID vote for (BIG government)

Big difference. The former makes logical sense, the later doesn't.

[XLintLuvR]

As someone that's come from NYC, I can safely say, we don't gripe about taxes the same way the red states do. For starters, I'm tired of us subsidizing the red states that have no state tax and wind up getting back more money from the Fed Gov't than they put in. You can take a look at a list of states that get more than they give back and it's easy to see the ones that b!tch about big gov't and moan about taxes get back far more than they put in. I find it funny that those states that got added after we became a country seem to think they've got a monopoly on patriotism. Even after they tried to secede from the Union and get dragged back by the scruff of their necks. That's pretty much why I ignore them when they complain about politics.

[rationalconservative]

Your language seems very peaceful, Pax. Thank you for trying to understand your enemies and reach across the aisle. I appreciate your sincere efforts and hope you serve as an example for your ideologically brethren.

[leftypower]

Thanks for your sarcasm, RC. We're just tired of conservatives who lie to us when they call themselves rational. Forgive us for our lack of patience.

[Beka13]

I say we take care of our own and leave the folks who are so ignorant that they would cut of their faces dispite their noses out in the cold. I am tired of Regressives reaping the benes of all our hard work and thoughtful­ness.....

[rationalconservative]

First, there is a fantastic invention called spellcheck.

Second, why are you taking these biased "facts" hook, line, and sinker?

[XLintLuvR]

Biased facts? See that's the problem with your side of the aisle. You think that facts are subjective. What Beka said was right. All you have to do is look at the list of states. There's a list that shows which states give more than they get back in taxes to the Fed. Gov't. CA and NY at the top of the list that have crushing state taxes are subsidizing states like MS, AL, SC and oh yeah, the biggest welfare state of all, AK. They still haven't figured out how to stand on their own and as long as they're run by repubs that gripe about taxes that they're not paying for they never will.

[Lorianne]

But if you're a Democratic voter, you voted NOT to send them out into the cold.
Why don't you vote the way you feel?

[leftypower]

I welcome governors Perry and Palins' secession comments. This time around, I think many liberals won't fight when you try to leave and form your own bacwards country called Christistan.

[Expatslacker]

It's "cut off their nose to spite their face"...Do you know what that means or are you too young & just heard the saying?

[mat3]

Help, I'm a red millionaire trapped in a blue state. Unless these numbers are broken down, they are meaningless.

[mat3]

Actually I'm not a millionaire, just want to make that clear, but I wonder how many are in blue states.

[XLintLuvR]

There are in most cases more millionaires in blue states than red for the simple fact that the populations are always higher with the exception of TX. At last count, Dallas had the most millionaire's per capita but after that, I'd have to say it was an anomoly. It seems like when a state's poplulation reaches a certain level, they come to their senses and recognize that the left side of the aisle appeals more to them. This is a center left nation no matter what Newt says and we've been held hostage by the smaller populations for too long. I think if you do away with the electoral college, there won't be another repub in the W.H. until they get their acts together. Could be a generation. People would realize their votes count for something and those of us in TX would feel like we could actually help elect a president. In the meanwhile, we'll just have to breed the repubs out then take over the electoral process.

[Piatt]

Red staters don't like "wealth redistribution" unless it's being redistributed to them.

[LiberalDemIda]

Bingo.

[jwredd]

Right, but they are so confused with misinformation they get the money redistributed to them and then scream about how "the gubment ain't gonna take my money!"

[judesuper]

or me guns, I need me gun.

[judesuper]

HELP, Arizona wants to turn blue, but we're trapped with people that think they owe mccain something. I don't know why. He's done nothing for us, and never will.

Have you seen his latest complaint about the deficit? Bellyaching about the amount of the deficit in peace time. YES peace time. He actually said that yesterday.

That's our senator he doesn't have a clue. I don't know about you, but since we are waging two wars the the last president got us into, you'd think he'd know better, or at least shut up.

Arizona, let's kick mccain to the curb, 2010 will see a new and much better senator than him.

[Lorianne]

Blue state voters like wealth distribution, but then complain about having to pay for it!
Not logical.

[leftypower]

I don't complain about having to pay for it.

I'm just tired of having my patriotism questioned as you walk away with my money.

[whiskeytangofoxtrot451]

So, in other words, it's just like every other program. The blue states pay for it and the red states collect the benefits.

We should just let them secede.

[republicanforlife]

Yes, its just like every other program. The feds get more money and power, you and I pay higher taxes, no new jobs created, and of course you state that you dont receive the benefits. Right!

[whiskeytangofoxtrot451]

One day, we will cut "y'all" loose and you'll finally realize how many of you have jobs that depend, directly or indirectly, on my taxes.

[Lorianne]

Whose fault is that?
If you offer someone $100 would you be surprised if they take it?

[republicanforlife]

But wouldnt it be better if they earned it?

[LiberalDemIda]

I'd only be surprised if they didn't show the gratitude of that charitable act, and that's blatantly the case with the majority of REDstaters taking BlueState dollars then turn around and spit on our shoes.

[MathIsTruth]

How would you feel if the person took the $100 with one hand and gave you the finger with the other?

[jwredd]

The problem is that they take the money, go to a rally led by some dvmb@55 plumber and then start screaming, "Heck no, they ain't takin' my money!" ??????? What money you dvmb@55, we're giving it to you!

[Athirson]

We should just kick them out...they will bluster about seceding but won't do so for this very reason.

[Lorianne]

Hey, Blue voters vote for it to be that way.
They should be happy they're getting what they vote for!

[Lorianne]

Blue voters should pay for what they vote for.

That's why California is in such a mess, the voters don't want to pay for what they voted for (lots of State programs and services).

[tiredofthesameoldstuff]

Wrong. That was the Republicans that made California a mess by not wanting to do fractional taxes to keep up with inflation. How the heck do you think Arnuld got in?

[Lorianne]

The premise in many posts here is that Blue States should 'get back' as much Federal tax as they put in ... or a greater percentage of it than they do now.

That is consistent with advocating for a small Federal government ... which is not a typical 'blue' position. Cognitive dissonance?

[MathIsTruth]

The point is not that Blue States "should" get back any amount.

The point is about the raging hypocrisy of those who scream and shout for smaller government and whine about the horrors of wealth redistribution when they are the biggest beneficiaries of both.

Blue Staters push for a better standard of living for the less fortunate not because of a selfish financial interest, but because it is the decent and right thing to do. (And by happy coincidence, it generally IS better for everyone financiall­y.)

[Lorianne]

But they complain about paying for it.

And they are asking to 'get back' more of what they paid in Federal money ... which would necessarily mean a smaller Federal government.

[talkinhedz]

Why does the "left' in general complain about the "right" in general being selfish.or not caring for the poor? The "right' tend to give upwards of 15% more, give or take to charity than does the "left" in all studies. Furthermore, in any society, we will a percentage of poor. In the last 40 or so years, how much money has been spent on Programs for the poor? What is the overall result? Basically, and Sadly,nothing has changed.

[shocktreatment]

"Cognitive dissonance?" awful lot of syllables for a person who doesn't understand that the largest expansion of Federal government, the largest jumps in federal spending and the worst injuries to civil and constitutional rights have all occurred during Republican administration.

Where does cognitive dissonance end and impairment begin?

[Obamasoldier]

Of Course. The red States dont want it eventhough they need it and the Blue states pay. Same with everything else. The Blue states provide most of our Economy and the red states complain.

[Lorianne]

Blue state vote for a larger Federal government.
They should be happy they are getting what they want!
And not complain about paying for what THEY voted for.

[hutom]

They don't complain. In fact the news item does not even say they complain. It just states a fact. When it comes to dysfunction - economic, marital, personal, political, religious and so on ... blue states are extremely forgiving to their red brethren. You got to admit that..

[MyNameIsJames]

For 8 years, GW Bush ran the US government the way that the typical Red State governor runs his/her state - The nation nearly fell apart. He clearly demonstrated how dismal life can be under a Red State (Conservative) Republican.

Now after 6 months - Republicans / Conservatives are actually trying to lay the blame on President Obama- What rational adult actually believes this?

Conservatives talk about the deficit - The Bush tax cuts - created a $2 trillion dollar hole. Bush nearly doubled the national debt - after beginning with a surplus!

Moving on..

To all of you who argue that the Red States are feeding the rest of the nation-- what evidence do you have-- how long has it been since the South (primarily) has been the dominant agricultural base of our nation? FYI both Iowa and Illinois- two agricultural giants are BLUE- combine them with California and the argument is over.

I have noticed that since more Conservatives have been migrating to the Huff Post - the level of discourse has gone remedial because there is so much common knowledge that the conservatives who comment here DON'T KNOW -

I think that the HUFF POST needs a Common knowledge page where Conservatives can brush up on basic demographic, economic and social-scientific information. That way - they can come to the conversation better prepared to hold intelligent and reasonable dialogue.

Oh yeah - most Huff Post regulars believe in Science - if that is a problem for you

[LiberalDemIda]

Fanned and Faved! Wonderful post, as are your others.

[talkinhedz]

Excuse me? Do you own a Linen company? You sure do seem to enjoy makeing "Blanket" statements about "Conservatives" I live in Califorina­..born here 50 yrs. ago. The more "left" the state has gone with its Social and Regulatory policies the greater the gap between rich and poor, with the middle class getting squeezed. Also..just note regarding Common knowledge, after every 2 term President since Lincoln, we have had a Recession of some degree. Our economy runs in cycles..lo­ok it up! Blaming any President.­.or giving them Credit for the Economy is silly!

[Lorianne]

Well stated

[Expatslacker]

Very Good.

[tvlandman]

Agreed!

[danonchalant1]

Great post! Hopefully next time you'll do one on "Bobby" Jindal & his wife Supriya. Both are highly educated intellectuals, yet Mr. Jindal panders to the uneducated crowd in this state. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, the state recieved funds to help us rebuild, & we had a budget surplus. We were trying to figure out how to spend the money. After Jindal became Governor, not only do we have a huge deficit, we are laying off nurses, and slashing funds for education and liberal arts.

[judesuper]

Excellent post!

[Labsaregreat]

Have you checked out the balance sheets of NY, NJ, Mich and California versus texas? James spending is out of control

[FortuneTeller]

This is nothing new (I'm from CT "the tax you to death state") salaries are higher there and so are taxes, the red-states STILL won't get it...it's too complicated for Joe the Plumber and the Palinites.

[republicanforlife]

Whats so complicated. If you dont like paying your high taxes move. Theres plenty of room out west. Watch your melodramatic statements, The headline reads"Blue states pay the bill" sounds like your complaining dont it.

[hutom]

It sounds complaining to you? May be it's in your head? Some guilt, may be?

[shocktreatment]

"chickens voting for Colonel Sanders" is a great phrase. All those "single issue" voters, gun rights, abortion is murder, immigration, gay civil rights, keep voting in Repubs who care nothing for their day to day struggles.

"Haven't been to a dentist in 19 years, 'cause I can't afford it, but at least no gays are gettin' married here!"

[Avanti2]

"You haven't been to the Dentist for 19 Years" ?

Man, you must have really rotten teeth and killer halitosis!

[shocktreatment]

You know how we know the toothbrush was invented in the south? Because if it had been invented up here in the north, it would be called the TEETH brush.

Now, that's funny.

[republicanforlife]

Thats funny, I dont care who you are.

[PWM]

Red states not pulling their share - what's changed?

[LiberalDemIda]

Nothing, including their inability to think clearly. That's the problem.